Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice peaks at the California Republican Party 2014 Spring Convention in March.

AP

Former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has reversed her decision to give Rutgers University’s commencement address later this month, bowing to pressure from some students and faculty.

In a statement issued Saturday, the former cabinet member in President George W. Bush’s administration said she opted out from delivering the speech, after she accepted, so she won’t distract from the ceremony.

“Commencement should be a time of joyous celebration for the graduates and their families,” said Ms. Rice. “Rutgers’ invitation to me to speak has become a distraction for the university community at this very special time.”

Rutgers President Robert Barchi accepted Ms. Rice’s choice, but said the university still stood by the decision to select her to address graduates.

“We respect the decision she made and clearly articulated in her statement this morning.” Mr. Barchi said.

In February, Ms. Rice was selected to address Rutgers’ 248th class of graduates at the main campus in New Brunswick, N.J. and receive an honorary degree. The graduation is to be held on May 18.

In recent months, some students and professors had grown increasingly vocal about their opposition to her selection. Critics said that Ms. Rice was an inappropriate choice given her support of the Iraq war during the Bush administration.

Others vocally supported the selection. The issue had become increasingly heated at the New Brunswick school.

Mr. Barchi said another speaker will be announced in the coming days.

“Now is the time to focus on our commencement, a day to celebrate the accomplishments and promising futures of our graduates,” he said.

Rutgers is New Jersey’s largest public university, with more than 65,000 students. It awarded approximately 14,000 degrees in May 2013.